Henley Hoedown: Ten of the Best w/ Tweaks

February 5, 2014 By Joe| Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Here's why.

IT’S A HOEDOWN? FIRE UP THE COPELAND!

For some reason, grabbing a rib eye with Sam Elliott sounds good right about now.

The Henley certainly never went away, but ever since Ryan Gosling spent most of “Drive” in a short sleeve version, designers have been working them in where they can. And to many of their credit, they’ve been tweaking that classic design so it looks a little less like underwear. Instead of underwear, all of these henley’s can stand alone. They’re super casual, and very dressed down, but they’ve still got purpose. Feel free to make any additions in the comments.

Looks to be a bit of a cross between a henley and a more substantial rugby shirt. From the younger & leaner leaning (leaner leaning?) Red Fleece collection. Cotton w/ chambray trim. One of those styles that starts pretty pricey, and you’ve got to think will drop as time rolls on and sales show up.

Pretty pricey for what looks to be a plain henley at first glance, but the double face construction is worth noting. All cotton interior so it’s soft, but the outside is wool. Trimmer fit than standard LL Bean stuff. Keep an eye out for 10% – 20% off deals on their FB page or over email blasts. Also available in navy or cream.

CHEAP! Usually Mossimo stuff fits decently trim. Merona is the Target house brand that most have to size down for. But these look pretty boxy online. Might want to look around the next time you’re in a Target brick & mortar. Chest high colorblocking that extends to the sleeves.

Say you’re a fellow who has a bit of chest hair. Many henleys might open up a little too deep and wide for your own personal preference. These keep it much more buttoned up near the top. Substantial buffalo horn buttons, a trim fit, and the overall quality you should expect from Billy Reid. Five color options to choose from. Part of their end of season sale.

Cotton/Poly blends with some color blocking. The long sleeve option with the ivory body and blue sleeves looks like something Roy Hobbs would have worn during BP. UPDATE: Looks like the short sleeve option is currently unavailable.

The tri-blend fabric usually shows up on Old Navy goods, but the mainly cotton (with poly and a bit of rayon) super-soft stuff is cut into a GAP henley here. What makes the difference is the chest pocket. That sets it apart from the usual underwear/base layer look. Also available in a lighter blue. Currently 25% off with the code TREAT.

More colorblocking here, but these are all cotton with a bit of slub/heathered look to the fabric. Just under the normal shipping threshold before codes, so consider buying a pair of socks to tip the balance. Banana Republic’s code du jour is 35% off (or 40% off if you use a card) w/ BRSAVE.

Ah yes, remember the band-collar button up days of the mid 90s? So these aren’t quite that (thank goodness) but instead the henley’s collar is slightly raised and the contrast placket is elongated. Looks like they’re using an Under Armour mannequin torso (WE MUST PROTECT THIS HOUSE). Some other styles by this brand are fulfilled by Amazon, but these aren’t. Steep shipping charge, and returns might end up being a pain.

One way to represent your favorite team while going to the ballpark, or heading out for the weekly game of co-ed softball. The problem with lots of fan gear is that it either fits awful, or is so bright/bold that it’s hard to wear outside of the stadium. That’s not the case here. Trim fit with a washed appearance. If you want to go real authentic, Ebbets Field Flannels makes a Merino/Cotton fungo shirt that’s true to the originals worn by ballplayers in the 50’s & 60’s. Pitchers & catchers report next Thursday.

i actually bought my first henley as part of a dexter costume for halloween a few years back and then thought it looked good layered. i’ve been meaning to ask if anyone here has some experience with doubleju? their ads are popping up everywhere on my browser these days.

I have always heard bad things about Doublju. Apparently, the products look much cheaper and crappier in person. And the sizing is for asian countries, so you would order a size or two larger than you would normally. Then again this is just what I’ve heard. I have no firsthand experience.

Fit = slim slim. Quality = not a problem for me but I may have lower standards than you.

Last year I bought a couple shirts from them for the summer. I was looking for slim fit and they fit the bill. They are a little gimmicky in that everything looks like it was inspired by one of the Fast and Furious movies, but I didn’t mind. Comments from Amazon buyers really came in handy to help choose the right sizes since they run small.

Tangent from Captain Obvious: if anyone buys anything, it’s helpful to list your sizes in the comments section with what fit to help the rest of us out (I usually do).

Good to know. I should have posted my other problem… I’m also quite slender (~38” chest, 32” waist). As you can imagine, XL tends to be much too baggy.. M tends to border on an unintentional 3/4 sleeve (exaggerating, but you get what I’m saying).

I bought a henley from Target late last year. It’s probably one of the more comfortable ones I own. The fabric is very soft (actually tends to pile a bit though) and the thickness blows away any other henleys I’ve had. I have one from Frank and Oak, the fit is glorious but fabric is thin – although good quality. Another from BR that’s a henley/hoodie which is probably my favorite because it has a hoodie and I’m bald – but it is on the thin side as well. I also have one from Lands End, which has a cuff on it so it rolls up pretty nicely but the fit is a bit larger and I wouldn’t call it trim at all.

The only henley that’s ever come close to fitting me properly (i.e. not being at least 2 inches too long) is the one I got from Club Monaco. Just got a Billy Reid thermal… it looks awesome. Love the buttons and collar. But the Small is too damn long for me, and I’m 5’6″. Short but far from the shortest guy out there.

I have the JCrew Factory henley (can’t get into the color blocking stuff) in a cream. I really like it, but it’s very thin, think t-shirt material, and the stitching is very prominent, giving it a very very casual look. Which is fine for me down in Texas, but now that it’s actually cold, I wish I would have looked more deeply and come across the Billy Reid henley, or something else similarly priced that was a bit warmer.

I grabbed a couple henleys from Target last fall as well, but from your description I’m not sure they’re the same ones. Mine are very thin, almost to the point that they would be better for spring/summer than winter, but I love them all the same.